Have you ever wonder what the Bible says about volunteering at church? Is it one of God’s commandments? Is it just a good thing to do? Will it help us get into heaven?
Here’s the deal, volunteering at church will not get you into heaven and it isn’t one of the Ten Commandments, but God does have a lot to say about serving Him, the church, and others. Check it out.
So in book of James in the New Testament it talks a lot about Faith and Works. We don’t have to do good works (volunteer our time, help those in need, etc.) to be saved, we do good works because we are saved! We can show our faith by our actions (James 2:18). James also goes on to say that faith without work is DEAD. So if we claim to be be saved by the blood of Jesus we need to show it through our actions. One way to do that is by volunteering our time at church.
James is pretty straight forward that we are called to do work, but here are 3 others reasons we should volunteer at church:
USE YOUR GIFTS
In his letter to early Christians, Peter writes, “God has given you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to SERVE others.” (1 Peter 4:10) God has given each of us who follow him specific and unique gifts. Some of us have the gift of hospitality. We enjoy making people feel loved and welcomed. A great way to use this gift in the church is by being on the Hospitality Team. You can greet guests as they come to church, make them feel at home. Some of us have the gift of teaching. Use this gift to lead a bible study or a kids class. Use the gifts God has given YOU to volunteer at church.
IT IS GREATER TO SERVE THAN BE SERVED
Jesus himself said in Matthew 20:28, “For the even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as ransom for many.” Jesus was the ultimate example of serving others. He was fully God yet He came to serve man. In John 13, Jesus serves his closest followers, the disciples, by washing their feet. He is setting the example for not only the disciples but also for us that serving others is greater than being served. There is so much more than coming to church to hear a good sermon and sing songs. We are called to serve others. By volunteering at church we can serve others.
BY SERVING OTHERS I AM SERVING GOD
When we volunteer at church, we are serving others. We are welcoming people, teaching kids, loving on others. When we do these things for people, we are ultimately doing it for God. Jesus says in Matthew, ” The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you were doing it for me.‘” (Matthew 25:40). So when you come to church and volunteer, those works that you are doing, you are ultimately doing them for God.
Volunteer at Church!
So, now that you know WHY you should volunteer at church, you can jump in and do it! We’d love to get you on a volunteer team! Love kids? Talk to Kate Cressley on how to volunteer in the Kids Ministry. Love to sing? Talk to Abby Brooks about how you can serve on worship team. Not into Kids or singing, that’s okay! Join the Hospitality Team, the Teach Team, or ask Pastor Guy or Kate what other ways you can volunteer! We look forward to hearing for you soon!
Want to learn more about FAITH and WORKS?
Check out Pastor Guy’s message Faith/Works from his sermon series in James.